Baddeley & Hitch: Why Do We Forget What We Were Doing?

November 11, 2026 · Knowledge Management Made Simple

Imagine walking into the kitchen.

You open the refrigerator.

Then suddenly…

“Why am I here?”

Perhaps the cheese invited you?

Psychologists Alan Baddeley and Graham Hitch developed a model of working memory in 1974.

Their research helps explain how we temporarily hold and process information while performing everyday tasks.

Let’s explore three funny examples.

1. Oxana’s Shopping List

Oxana asks Pavel to buy milk, eggs, bread, and apples.

“Easy!” says Pavel.

He repeats the list while walking.

“Milk, eggs, bread, apples.”

Then his phone rings.

Five minutes later, he arrives home with bananas.

“Why bananas?” asks Oxana.

“Excellent question!”

What did we learn?

The phonological loop helps us temporarily hold verbal information through repetition.

But interruptions can interfere with this process.

2. The Furniture Disaster

Pavel wants to move the sofa.

“It will fit perfectly!”

Oxana looks at the room.

“Are you sure?”

Pavel imagines the new arrangement.

Then he measures the space.

Unfortunately, the sofa is bigger than expected.

“Perhaps we should remove the wall?”

“Perhaps we should keep the sofa where it is.”

What did we learn?

The visuospatial sketchpad helps us temporarily hold and manipulate visual and spatial information.

It’s useful when imagining layouts, routes, or positions.

3. The Multitasking Champion

Pavel writes an email.

Then answers the phone.

Then checks a spreadsheet.

Then returns to the email.

“Dear Mr… What was I writing?”

Oxana smiles.

“Perhaps your brain needs a project manager.”

What did we learn?

The central executive helps control attention and coordinate mental activities.

But our mental resources are limited.

The Big Idea

Baddeley and Hitch’s original model included three components: the phonological loop, visuospatial sketchpad, and central executive.

Working memory helps us process information, but its capacity is limited.

Why This Matters for Knowledge Management

Checklists, reminders, and clear instructions reduce the need to keep every detail in our heads.

A reliable external system helps us concentrate on what matters.

What About Artificial Intelligence?

AI can organise tasks, retrieve information, and summarise complicated instructions.

But it should support our thinking, not replace careful judgment.

Alan Baddeley’s Words

“Working memory has been found to require the simultaneous storage and processing of information.”

Source: Alan Baddeley, Working Memory, Science, 1992, Vol. 255, pp. 556–559.

The takeaway: Don’t force your brain to remember everything. Give it useful tools.

Especially before going shopping for bananas instead of milk.